I was wondering, what is a good bike to get,Whats the normal price range? how do you learn to ride haha(is it just with practice or should i not feel to bad asking maybe later on down the road for some help just to get the basic feel for it?...far down the road, just general questions right now.) Maybe some pics also of your guys/girls There were a lot of bikes around Tampa area today and yesterday. Seem to be growing the number of riders..? maybe its just me.

 

msf course is how you learn. $$$$$ depends on how much you want to spend.

 

just taught my friend to ride other day on my beat up bike. u have to put range on money - and yeah everybody getting a bike - i swear almost everybody i talked to - they're saying they're getting one. most just say anything fast and shinny when i asked them what kind of bike. mostly busa.

 

geta friend witha beat up bike to teach u basics, take the msf (if u already know basics its 10 times easier), and than continue learning on a crappy bike, cause u still are learning and bound to make a rookie mistake like forgetting this kickstand. aftera while riding a bike will become second nature, u don't even realize u shift or anything.

 

Like everyone said its DEFINTELY a good idea to learn on a beater. Thats one thing I probably would have done differently because I ended up beating up a nice bike. As far as the MSF course that depends on several factors. I don't feel like I really learned anything when I took it and that I wasted money on the beginner course and it would have been better for me to have taken the advanced course which is cheaper. You would have to get ahold of a bike first though if you want to take the advanced course bc they dont provide one.


If I were you this is what I would do:

1.) Get a friend to teach you on a beater bike and see if you like and how easily things come to you.

2.) If you decide you like it and want to persue it, but a 600cc bike thats either been down or is old (so its not too expensive) and use that while taking the advanced MSF course

3.) Ride that bike until, like Matt said, it becomes second nature. I know for me everytime I start riding my bike daily it becomes natural within a few days... then if I stop riding for a few weeks I have to get back in the hang of it... its just a matter of keeping it up and racking up some experience

4.) Then when you're ready you can get either a newer/nicer 600 or move up to a larger bike if you feel that you can handle it.

 

I heard that Schwinn's are nice.

 

Yah, hopefully she stays with the Schwinn idea and doesn't jump on this bandwagon because it'll really hurt when you fall off of this one

 

yeah, i'm so sick of all the people that are just now getting into bikes. all us old schoolers that have had bikes for 2 months and longer hate seeing newbies

seriously though, just get someone you know to let you learn on their bike. if i remember from masterbating to your pictures (j/k) you're pretty small, so i would recommend smaller than a 600 (or at least not a new 600). i'm 6'2" and have no problem putting both feet flat on the ground, but have a few shorter friends that ride and can barely keep both feet on the tippie toes. when i first learned, being taller definitely helped me from dropping the bike when i'd stop. just take it easy, respect the bike, and keep the rubber side down.

 

If youwant to learn to ride, start out by reading this a few times:
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/handbooks/Motorcycles/
Then, get refreshed on a bicycle. Then, if you can, ride a friends manual 4 wheeler. That helped me get used to a hand clutch with the stability of 4 wheels under me. Then if you have a friend who's willing to let you ride their beater (small cc) do that. I personally refreshed my biking skills on my friends little XR-50 (child's dirtbike, or a very fun adult toy). Then take the MSF course. They will teach you just about everything you need to know. The cheapest one is at Armwood high school. It's $175, everywhere else is atleast $225. Just go there on a tuesday evening, go into the counselors office i believe, and there will be a lady there to sign you up. Armwood is just off I-4. You take the Thonosasous (sp?) exit. Don't let the gay class discourage you, the riding course is enjoyable. And don't worry about it either, everyone in my class passed, with most having no experiance at all. I of coarse did the best with 100% on both the written and skills test. Sign up as soon as possible though since there is a waiting list. Riding illegal sucks while waiting to take the course, wait, i never did that.....
And the MSF course is a must, I thought I knew everything and i still learned a little. Oh, and as far as skipping the Basic course and going to advanced, well the advanced is like the basic, except you do it on your own bike. They teach you a little bit more advanced things too. I'd take it, but my exhaust is illegal and i...ugh....don't have proof of insurance. The instructors said it was required to do the advanced course. Oh, if you're under 21, there's no way to get out of taking the beginners course. They won't even let you get a permit. Damn, i just looked at your profile, graduating too? Where do you go? PM me.

 

Ohh, you asked for a few pics...here's a decent one. My Kat, and my friends 929.